US6704626B1 - Logistics system and method with position control - Google Patents

Abstract

A logistics system and method are mounted on a vehicle and utilize vehicle position control for logistics operations, such as loading and unloading material to and from the vehicle. The position control can be GPS-based and/or based on linear movement of the vehicle, such as movement of a railcar along a rail track. A computer-based position control subsystem mounted on the vehicle is connected to and operates vehicle-mounted components for performing the logistics functions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of logistics, and more particularly to a GPS-based system for controlling logistics in connection with a vehicle.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The field of logistics management is relatively broad and includes a wide range of systems for tracking, controlling and reporting logistics operations involving various types of materials. For example, loading and unloading materials are important logistics operations in the transportation field.

Automation is a primary goal of many logistics management systems. The commercial availability of computer hardware and software for logistics applications has led to a relatively high degree of automation. For example, computerized systems are available for controlling material loading and unloading operations.

The global positioning system (GPS) is a significant recent development in the field of vehicle navigation. GPS-based navigation systems are in widespread use, particularly in commercial vehicles. Current, state-of-the-art, GPS-based navigation systems provide positioning information with a relatively high degree of accuracy. Global position coordinates accurate to within a few meters can be obtained with current, commercially-available equipment.

The present invention applies the precise positioning features of current GPS equipment to the logistics management field, and more particularly to material loading and unloading operations. Heretofore there has not been available a GPS-based logistics system and method with the advantages and features of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the practice of the present invention, a logistics system is provided for a vehicle, such as a railcar. The disclosed embodiment of the logistics system includes a position control subsystem mounted on board the vehicle, an hydraulic actuator subsystem, a ballast discharge mechanism, and the global positioning system (GPS). The position control subsystem includes a microprocessor which associates positioning data (e.g., GPS coordinates) for the vehicle with specific logistics operations, such as material loading and unloading. A control interface is provided for decoding signals from the microprocessor and for addressing them to respective components of the actuator subsystem for operating same. In the ballast railcar embodiment of the invention as shown, hopper doors are opened and closed to direct the flow of ballast therefrom onto a rail track. In the practice of the method of the present invention, the GPS is used for determining vehicle position. A logistics operation is performed at a predetermined location.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The principal objects and advantages of the present invention include: providing a logistics management system and method; providing such a system and method which utilize the global positioning system (GPS); providing such a system and method which are adaptable to various vehicles; providing such a system and method which are adapted for use in conjunction with material loading and unloading operations; providing such a system and method which are adapted for controlling material discharge from railcars; providing such a system and method which are adapted to utilize vehicle movement for positioning purposes; providing such a system and method which are adapted for use with various positioning systems; providing such a system and method which utilize commercially available GPS equipment; providing such a system and method which utilize a computer mounted on board a vehicle for logistics management; providing such a system and method which can reduce the labor required for logistics operations; providing such a system and method which can be retrofitted existing vehicles; providing such a system and method which can be installed on new vehicles; providing such a system and method which are adaptable for use with various discharge control means in connection with unloading operations; providing such a system and method which include data storage means and steps for storing data for use in conjunction with logistics operations; and providing such a system and method which are economical and efficient.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a logistics system with GPS positioning control embodying the present invention, shown installed on a railcar for controlling the loading and unloading operations of same.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an hydraulic actuating system for hopper door assemblies on the railcar and a position control subsystem.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a railcar with a ballast discharge mechanism controlled by the logistics system and method.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, lower perspective view of the ballast discharge mechanism, particularly showing a hopper door assembly thereof.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a logistics system comprising a first modified embodiment of the present invention with an alternative positioning control subsystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSI. Introduction and Environment

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, the reference numeral2 generally designates a logistics system embodying the present invention. Without limitation on the generality of useful applications of a logistics system2, it is shown installed on a railcar4 for controlling unloading operations thereof.

The logistics system2 generally comprises the global positioning system (GPS)6, an on-board position control subsystem8, anhydraulic actuator subsystem10 and aballast discharge mechanism12.

II.GPS6

The GPS6 (FIG. 1) includes asatellite constellation14 comprising a number of individual satellites whose positions are continuously monitored. The satellites transmit signals, including positioning data, which can be received bydifferential GPS stations16 located in fixed positions and by GPS receivers, such as the on-board vehicle receiver18, which are typically mobile. Various other configurations and arrangements of the GPS can be employed with the present invention. Thedifferential GPS station16 receives signals from thesatellite constellation14 and transmits signals to mobile GPS receivers.

III. On-Board Position Control Subsystem8

The on-board position control subsystem8 (FIG. 2) is mounted on the railcar and includes theGPS vehicle receiver18, which receives position data signals (e.g., GPS coordinates) from both thesatellite constellation14 and thedifferential GPS16. Thevehicle receiver18 can comprise any of a number of suitable, commercially-available, mobile receiver units. Thevehicle receiver18 is connected to a microprocessor-based control interface/computer20 which receives positioning data signals from thevehicle receiver18, processes same and interfaces with theactuator subsystem10. Thecontrol interface20 can include any suitable microprocessor and preferably can be programmed to store data relating to logistics operations in response to GPS signals.

Thecontrol interface20 includes adecoder21 with inputs connected to the microprocessor for receiving command signals addressed to specific piston-and-cylinder units32 in theactuator subsystem10. The output of thedecoder21 is input to a relay bank26 with multiple relays corresponding to and connected to respective components of thehydraulic actuator subsystem10. The position control subsystem8 is connected to a suitable, on-boardelectrical power source22, which can utilize a solarphotovoltaic collector panel24 for charging or supplementing same.

IV. Hydraulic Actuator Subsystem

The hydraulic actuator subsystem10 (FIG. 2) includesmultiple solenoids28 each connected to and actuated by a respective relay of the relay bank26. Eachsolenoid28 operates a respectivehydraulic valve30. Thevalves30 are shifted between extend and retract positions by thesolenoids28 whereby pressurized hydraulic fluid is directed to piston-and-cylinder units32 for respectively extending and retracting same. The piston andcylinder units32 can comprise two-way hydraulic units, pneumatic units or any other suitable actuators. Anhydraulic fluid reservoir34 is connected to thevalves30 through a suitable motorizedpump36 and apressure control38.

V.Ballast Discharge Mechanism12

Theballast discharge mechanism12 includes fourhopper door assemblies40 installed on the underside of the railcar4 and arranged two to each side. Thehopper door assemblies40 discharge the railcar contents laterally and are adapted to direct the discharge inwardly (i.e. towards the center of a rail track5) or outwardly (i.e. towards the outer edges of the rail track5). The construction and function of thehopper door assemblies40 are disclosed in the Bounds U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,700, which is incorporated herein by reference. As shown in FIG. 4, each hopper door assembly is operated by a respective piston-and-cylinder unit32 for selectively directing the flow of ballast therefrom.

VI. Method of Operation

In the practice of the method of the present invention, the on-board position control subsystem8 is preprogrammed with various data corresponding to the operation of the logistic system2. For example, discharge operations of theballast discharge mechanism12 can be programmed to occur at particular locations. Thus, ballast can be applied to a particular section ofrail track5 by inputting its GPS coordinates and programming the position control subsystem8 to open thehopper door assemblies40 in the desired directions and for predetermined durations. The GPS signals received by the on-board position control subsystem8 can provide relatively precise information concerning the position of the railcar4.

VII. First Modified Embodiment Logistics System andMethod102

Thereference numeral102 generally designates alogistics system102 comprising a first modified embodiment of the present invention with a linear movement-basedposition control subsystem104. Theposition control subsystem104 can comprise any suitable means for measuring the travel of a vehicle, such as the railcar4, and/or detecting its position along therail track5 or some other travel path.

Theposition control system104 includes acomputer106 which interfaces with an optionalrough position detector108 for detectingrough position markers110. For example, therough position markers110 can be located alongside therail track5 whereby therough position detector108 provides a signal to thecomputer106 when the railcar4 is positioned in proximity to a respectiverough position marker110. Theposition control subsystem104 can also include a suitable linear distance measuring device for measuring travel. For example, an encoder/counter112 can be mounted on the railcar4 for measuring distances traveled by same or for counting revolutions of arailcar wheel114. The encoder/counter112 can be connected to atravel distance converter116 which provides signals corresponding to travel distances to thecomputer106. Thecomputer106 can interface with anhydraulic actuator subsystem10 such as that described above.

It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown.

Claims (2)

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. A logistics system to control application of ballast along a selected section of railroad and comprising:

a) a railroad car including a ballast hopper and a pair of hopper doors engaged with said hopper and operable to open and close to thereby control discharge of ballast from said hopper;

b) a pair of hydraulic door actuators engaged respectively with said hopper doors and controllable to open and close said hopper doors;

c) a global positioning system (GPS) receiver engaged with said car and operative to generate a location signal representing a location of said car, said GPS reciever being adapted to receive GPS coordinate signals from both a GPS satellite constellation and from a differential GPS;

d) said railroad car including a wheel and travel distance measuring means including a wheel encoder with said wheel for counting revolutions and partial revolutions thereof, a travel distance converter receiving input from said encoder, and a travel distance computer connected to and adapted for receiving input from said travel distance converter;

e) a position control subsystem coupled to said GPS receiver, said encoder, and said hopper door actuators, said position control subsystem storing data representing a location of said selected section of said railroad along which application of ballast is desired; and

f) said GPS receiver communicating information relating to the railroad car position to the position control system, said travel distance computer interfacing with said position control system whereby GPS position information and linear-movement travel distance information therefrom respectively are utilized to cause said position control subsystem to activate said hopper door actuators to open said hopper doors at the beginning of said selected section of said railroad and to retain same along said selected section with said railroad car in motion and only for such a duration in which said GPS receiver detects a location of said car corresponding to said selected section of said railroad.

2. A logistics system to control application of ballast along a selected section of railroad and comprising:

a railroad car including a ballast hopper and a pair of hopper doors engaged with said hopper and operable to open and close to thereby control discharge of ballast from said hopper;

b) a pair of hydraulic hopper door actuators engaged respectively with said hopper doors and controllable to open and close said hopper doors;

c) a global positioning system (GPS) receiver engaged with said car and operative to generate a location signal representing a location of said car, said GPS receiver being adapted to receive GPS coordinate signals from both a GPS satellite constellation and from a differential GPS;

d) said railroad car including a wheel and travel distance measuring means including a wheel encoder engaged with said wheel for counting revolutions and partial revolutions thereof, a travel distance converter receiving input from said encoder, a rough position marker fixedly mounted at a predetermined location along the railroad, a rough position detector mounted on the railroad car and adapted for generating a signal in response to proximity of said railroad car to said rough position marker, and a travel distance computer connected to and adapted for receiving input from said travel distance converter and said rough position detector;

e) a position control subsystem coupled to said GPS receiver, said encoder, and said hopper door actuators, said position control subsystem storing data representing a location of said selected section of said railroad along which application of ballast is desired; and

f) said GPS receiver receiving input from said GPS satellite constellation and from said differential GPS, said GPS receiver communicating information relating to the railroad car position to the position control system, said travel distance computer interfacing with said position control system whereby GPS position information and linear-movement travel distance information thereform respectively are utilized to cause said position control subsystem to activate said hopper door actuators to open said hopper doors at the beginning of said selected section of said railroad and to retain same along said selected section with said railroad car in motion and only for such a duration in which said OPS receiver detects a location of said car corresponding to said selected section of said railroad.

Images